Chapter 18: No more fear

Took you long enough.”

Serena’s voice filled the old building behind the hospital. She stepped out of the shadows, her blonde hair falling over her masked face. Her lips curled into a wicked smile.

Jack was tied to a chair in the corner. His eyes widened when he saw Damien, Lyra, and Maya at the door. “Damien! Help me!” he shouted.

“Stay calm, Jack,” Damien said, his eyes narrowing on Serena, his golden wolf glow flickered faintly.

Serena laughed. “Oh, this is rich, you actually came for him. Cute.” She twirled one finger in the air, claws sharp under the dim light. “How did you even find me?”

“We tracked Jack’s phone,” Maya said firmly.

Serena froze, then threw her head back and laughed louder. “His phone? That’s how you outsmarted me? You children are even more pathetic than I thought.”

Damien stepped forward, his voice low and steady. “You’re not after Jack, are you?”

Her smirk widened. “Finally, the smart one speaks. No, little Alpha I don’t care about him. It’s you I want, jack was just bait.”

Damie muttered."Why are you after me?Who sent you here?He asked.

Serena smiled."You're the true Alpha, who dosen't want to go after you. I don't think you know the amount of power you hold."

Damien hissed." Well......you made a big mistake."

She leaned over Jack, dragging one claw lightly along his cheek, Jack flinched. Serena grinned. “Poor boy got caught in the crossfire.”

“Let him go,” Damien growled. His fists tightened.

“Or what?” Serena teased. “You’ll growl at me? Flash those pretty golden eyes?” She licked her lips and laughed. “No, Damien you’re mine.”

Before anyone could blink, she moved. Serena lunged at Damien, her claws swinging. He dodged to the side, her claws slashing through the air.

“Damien!” Lyra cried as she and Maya rushed to Jack. They pulled at the ropes binding his hands.

Damien blocked another strike, grabbing her wrist. Their eyes locked, hers burning red, his glowing gold. “If it’s me you want,” he growled, “then fight me.”

“With pleasure.”

She shoved him hard, so hard he crashed into a wall. Then, in a strange shimmer, her body split apart. There were now two Serenas, both grinning with sharp teeth.

Lyra’s jaw dropped. “What the hell...”

Both Serenas spoke in unison. “Surprised? I don’t play fair, I'm one of the extent species of supernaturals and I'm the only one standing.”

"We can help you, just tell us what you need." Damien dodged a punch from her.

" You can't, give me your powers that's the only way out."She growled lunging another attack at Damien.

The two charged Damien together. He ducked one, but the other slashed his chest. Blood stained his shirt, and he hissed in pain, but he stood his ground.

Maya finally yanked the last rope loose. “Jack, move!”

Jack stumbled up, pale and weak. “What is happening?!”

“She split herself,” Lyra explained quickly. “They’re both her!”

Jack stared in horror. “Then how do you stop her?”

Maya’s hand flew to her jacket pocket. “Lyra! Tell me you brought the powder.”

Lyra nodded and pulled out a small pouch.

“What powder?” Jack asked.

“Wolfsbane,” Maya answered without looking at him. “But not normal wolfsbane, this one burns worse. If it works, she won’t heal.”

Serena’s ears twitched. Her grin widened. “Ohhh… so that’s your plan? Sprinkle me with fairy dust? Please. I’ve lived longer than your families combined, I'm not afraid of a pouch of dirt.”

Damien panted, blood dripping from his wound, he glared at her. “Then you should be.”

One of her clone jumped on him, but Maya grabbed a broken pipe from the floor and swung with all her strength, then hit sent Serena stumbling back. " I don't know why you all run after other and destroy them. We are all supposed to be brothers and sisters, we are from the same family not attack each other."

“Don’t touch him!” Lyra shouted, breathing hard, her hands shaking.

Damien turned, his face filled with nervousness and anger. “Maya!” he shouted.

Maya’s hand shook around the pouch. “Damien, hold her down! Now!”

Damien roared, his Alpha strength flaring. He grabbed Serena’s arm and slammed her to the ground. She shrieked, thrashing, but he pinned her with all his weight.

Her face twisted, but her voice was still playful. “Strong Alpha, I almost like you but I like your powers instead.”

“Now, Maya!” Lyra yelled.

Maya ripped the pouch open with trembling hands and threw the powder straight onto Serena’s chest.

The powder took effects instantly, serena’s scream pierced the air. Flames spread across her skin, glowing bright. Her second form shrieked too, flickering before bursting into fire.

The room filled with the smell of burning flesh. Jack gagged, covering his nose. Lyra’s eyes widened, she froze in shock.

Damien stumbled back, clutching his bleeding chest, his eyes fixed on Serena’s burning body.

Serena screamed, thrashing on the ground, but then...she laughed. Through the flames, her lips stretched into a wild grin.

“You really think this ends me?” she hissed, her voice broken and layered. “Oh, babies, this is only the beginning. You don’t even know what’s coming.”

Her laugh echoed through the building, sharp and cruel, even as her skin cracked like burning glass.

The flames grew brighter, lighting up the whole room. Damien shielded his face with his arm. Maya stood frozen, her empty pouch falling to the ground.

Lyra grabbed Jack’s arm, pulling him back. “How did this happen, how did she get to you!”

Jack muttered." I have no idea, you were all there. I don't know why she grabbed me instead of Damien."

Lyra walked forward." We have to move quickly."

But Serena’s voice still rang, bold and mocking, even as her body burned. “You’ll never win, not against me not against what’s coming, these powers don't belong to you.”

Her laughter carried on, it echoed through the walls until the fire swallowed her whole.

And yet… even in flames, she gave a wicked smile.